588 Appendix to Council Proceedings, 1696-1729.

         B. M.  smale Craft there. Also we believe that be reason of the

      Vol. 25.  Privateers that come into that Govermt that gives occasion to

                their deserting here hopeing great Matters by such Employ-

                ment.

                        Nicholas Smith         Nath. Davis

                        William Cooper         Giles Wiggens

                        Joseph Collman         Jno Cotterrell

                        Nich. Humphrey         Nicholas Lydstone

                        Hen. Munday            Peter Reeve

                        Samll Phillips         Deane Cock

                        Jno Brown Junr

                  Ver. Cop. Ex. per Original

                          W. Bladen Cl. Concil.

                      [R. Snead to Gov. Nicholson.]

                                   Philadelphia. May the 6th 1698.

                Sr,

                  I received yor Honors by Edward Randolph esq. who I have

                been at New York, and have sent home Agrievances under

                the Seal of Yorke to Sr Ben. Bathurst & coppys to some of

                the Lords Commissionrs I have received a letter from Coll.

                Quarry by which I find Mr Penn has found a way to make

                him his friend. I understand he has help't him to most of

                Charles Saunders business; intrest blinds most men; he gives

                me to understand that Mr Penn's intrest is so great as if the

                King writes to him particularly from Flanders and satisfyes

                him of his proceedings there, as if he were of his Privy

                Councill. I suppose it is on purpose to make us desist from

                making our Cases known at home. I would have sent yor

                Honor a copy of his letter, but Mr Randolph has put me in

                hopes of seeing you this way. Sr, when at York I was to

                waite on Coll. Fletcher who told me tht Mr Penn had writt to

                him to linger or hover (I know not wch) about these parts for

                some little time and he doubted not but gett him the Govern

                ment of Maryland. If his intrest at Court be as he pretends

                I wish I were out of his Governmt, here is no living for any

                tht are not Quakers without it be altered, we had better live

                under the French King. I would gladly sell my Intrest for

                half the worth then stay if it Continues.

                  I pray God protect yor Honr you having him on your side

                need fear no Penns tht can spake or write against you. Sr I

                have little news to acquaint yor Exncy with, my Lord Belle

                mount has caus'd Coll. Fletcher to give security for his

                answering to such matters as should be objected agt him at